PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1892, 29 October 1913, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

A DAILY SUMMARY. Tho political event of yesterday wa3 a statement by tho Primo Minister on tho subject of naval defence, which was received by members of tho House of Representatives with very indication of interest. . , After The Dominion went to press yesterday morning tho debato upon tho Auckland Weekly Half-Holiday Bill was continued for about )a couple of hours, in face of dotermined opposition. Eventually tho short title was passed, and the House rose at 4.40 a.nu Industrial disorders occupied the attention of members for about half an hour when tho Houso met yesterday. Sir J. Ward addressed a question to the Prime Minister on the subject of tho Huntly strike, and stated that information which had como to him indicated that tho minors on strike were in tho right. The Prime Minister, in replying, read a ronott he had received from one of his Departmental officers It indicated that the allegations of victimisation made by tho Huntly Miners' Union , were unfounded. ■ Mr. Massev .stated that 110 was continuing his efforts to promote a settlement of tho dispute. . Questioned by the Leader of tjie OppoBjtion about the Wellington wat'ereidors' strike, tho Prime Minister stated that ho had been asked to attend a conference that .evening. The conferonce was held, with the Prime Minister presiding, and after proposals had been submitted, adjourned until; to-day. The/.Hon, W. H. Herries gave notice a a I^i. n 2 Amendment liill affecting both Native and European lands. '. . Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's MesTho Hon. R. H. Rhodos stated that it raised tho amount of tho maximum. deo<ssit on.which interest is naid an tho Post Office Savings Bank from £600 to £1000. Mr. Davey urged that depositors should be allowed to operate their accounts .by cheque, and other Opposition members advocated tho payment of a low rate of interest 011 money deposited at call. . The Minister of Public Works promised to inquire into a complaint by M r - Webb that labourers, employed on tho foundations of the now Parliamentary Buildings were paid less than the award rate of,wages. Salient foatures in tho statement about naval defence which the Primo Minister mado at 3.5 p.m., are proposals to train New Zealand men and officers m a local squadron and in tho Imperial Navy, to establish a training ship (which m tho first instance will bo H.M.S. Philomel), and, if necessary, to have an up4o-date cruiser of the British typo built for tho Dominion, next year. The remainder of the afternoon was Spent in debating a proposal to commit (the-Judicature Bill. The Hon. A. L. Herdman elaborated the' proposal to appoint two additional Judges, and furnished a largo amount of information on tho subject. The hostility which the Bill Inet with at tho_ hands of tho Opposition when it first appeared was on this oeoasion greatly modified, and tho motion to commit was agreed to on tho .voices.

In the evening three Bills were advanced a stage. ; The' Stamr> Duties [Amendment Bill was read a second time, after a brief discussion. There was more talk about the Beer Duties Amendment Bill. A number of Government members expressed their regret at the absence of any proposal to increase tbe duty on beer, and Mr. G. V. Penrce stated that he would move in Committee to increase the present duty of threepence per gallon to sixpence. Tlio Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, who is in charge of the Bill, 'said that this proposal gave him great satisfaction;^..ln his. further remarks he made a strong attack cn the industry under review. ' Tie Science and Art Bill was read n '■Second time, and was afterwards committed. The short title having been passed, progress was reported, and tho ■house rose at 11.1 p.m. ' , The Legislative Council passed the 'Imprest Supply Bill yesterday. The . tTramways Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to a spcciaF committee. The Victoria College Bill was considered in Committee, and reported with amendments. The River Boards JJill was read a second time. In addition a number of small Bills were advanced a stage.